Inquiry for the Common Classroom

THE SPARK DECK

An Analog Twist on Modern Learning

What if students and teachers could unite around a down-to-earth approach to Inquiry in the classroom? Use this deck of cards to plan your next PBL, organize student Passion Projects, or simply explore what personalized learning could be. Spark, Set.. Go! is a double dose of “How might we increase the scope of learning opportunities for your students?” Get a Spark Deck, and discover how this common-sense approach boosts instruction by balancing student ownership with accountability. Spark, Set.. Go! is about creating high-quality opportunities for independent learning and using tech tools to take it to the next level.

GO Craft a Guiding Question

Authenticity matters, so start with a conversation about what is important, interesting, or imperative to the learner. Decide on an authentic topic and create an empowering guiding question that begins with the phrase “How might we” and follow up with a verb from Create/Evaluate portion of Bloom’s Taxonomy.

“How might we ____________________ { the topic } ?”

A question posed in this format will place the ownership and responsibility where it belongs: on the learner! It’s more than a project.. it’s an invitation to be a leader!

SET Up the Learners for Success

What knowledge and skills will our learners will need to tackle the GO Guiding question? It is very important to spell these things out! If the Go! card belongs to the student, the Set cards belong to the teacher. Begin the question with “Can we” and include a verb from Remember/Understand categories of Bloom’s Taxonomy.

“Can we ____________________ { sub-topic } ?”

Set Cards are about scaffolding the sequence of learning. Too often, learners rush ahead or skip critical details or even assume that they have the knowledge and skills needed for the Inquiry. If the Go card is about reaching for the stars, the Set card is about grounding the learner.

Experiment: Iterate: SPARK

Sparks are smaller projects or experiments that provoke inquiry while giving learners a chance to test their newfound knowledge and skills. The best Sparks highlight a paradox or give the learner a chance to discover a surprising quirk in the topic. Spark cards fuel curiosity and raise more questions than answers!

Spark cards can also represent smaller projects that are meant to be iterative. Their true purpose is to be the exercise that increases the leadership potential of the learner.

Deal Out a Path to Inquiry

With the Go! Guiding Question at the end of the line, use your instructional instincts to arrange the Sets (Knowledge and Skills) with the Sparks (Experiments and Hands-On Activities). The end product will be a transparent learning path that guides the learner in a clear direction, while giving them ownership of the learning process. It’s the compromise we have all been waiting for.

Let’s Talk about Student Motivation

Learners love..

Gamification

Recognize your student’s achievements with badges they can collect and show. Start a class leaderboard and challenge them to earn points. Inquiry in the classroom means your students will move in countless directions. Gamification not only adds motivation, but allows for learners and their achievements to be celebrated. Besides, a little healthy competition never hurt anyone!

They want..

Independent Learning

Let’s face it, students love to learn what they want, when they want. It’s one thing to let them tinker around with ideas and gadgets during class, but it is a completely different experience when they are allowed to immerse themselves on their own terms. Let’s embrace the empowering nature of Inquiry and support it beyond 24/7/365.. on their own terms.

And absolutely crave…

Feedback

Authentic Feedback is the greatest gift a teacher can give their students. Let us automate the organization of an inquiry event, and save our energy for what matters most: Assessment and Feedback. With just a couple of Add-ons for Google Sheets, this can happen. Spark Suite was built so teachers can expand learning opportunities, without sacrificing their focus on growing leaders out of learners.

Let’s challenge students with authentic and engaging enrichment opportunities,